Afternoon Inshore Fishing for Mackerel & Barracuda
Nothing beats the afternoon bite when the sun starts its descent and the fish get active along Myrtle Beach's productive inshore waters. This four-hour charter with Lucky Strike Charters puts you right where the action happens, targeting aggressive species like King and Spanish Mackerel, toothy Barracuda, and scrappy Black Sea Bass. Captain Ed and his experienced crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll have you rigged up and fishing within minutes of leaving the dock. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, this trip delivers the goods with all equipment, tackle, bait, and even your South Carolina saltwater license included.
What to Expect on the Water
Your afternoon starts at the dock where Captain Ed and the crew get you situated on a well-maintained vessel equipped with top-tier fishing gear and creature comforts like air conditioning and an onboard head. The boat accommodates up to six anglers comfortably, giving everyone plenty of room to fish without tangling lines. Once you clear the inlet, it's a short run to the productive nearshore waters where structure, baitfish, and hungry predators come together. The crew sets the tone with a laid-back but professional approach, making sure everyone feels comfortable while maximizing your time with lines in the water. Don't worry about bringing anything except sunscreen and drinks – they've got the rest covered from premium rods and reels to fresh bait and a tackle box full of proven producers.
Trolling Tactics & Bottom Rigs
The crew runs a mix of techniques depending on what the fish are doing. Trolling accounts for most of the Mackerel and Barracuda action, with spread lines covering different depths and speeds to locate schools of feeding fish. They'll set you up with everything from small spoons and diving plugs to live bait rigs when the bite calls for it. When the trolling bite slows down, switching to bottom fishing for Sea Bass keeps the action going with Carolina rigs and circle hooks targeting structure and ledges. The first mate handles most of the rigging and re-baiting, but they're also happy to teach you the setups if you want to learn. These aren't cookie-cutter trips – the crew adapts to conditions and what the fish are telling them, whether that means changing locations, switching baits, or adjusting depths until you find the bite.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
"Captain Ed and his mate Mongo were phenomenal. We had a really solid day of fishing and enjoyed great banter with the crew. I highly recommend them!" - William. "We had an outstanding time on the water this morning! Our family of eight felt right at home with Captain Elliott and Mungo, who were both welcoming and great company. We successfully landed a few Atlantic sharpnose sharks. While the fish weren't biting constantly, we understand that is just part of the nature of fishing. This charter earns a 10/10 from us, and we highly recommend them!" - Darrick. "Captain Ed and his first mate, Brian, were absolutely fantastic. Brian was so kind and generous to our children that you would have thought he was a relative. Captain Ed led our group to excellent spots, and we caught over 100 fish in just four hours!" - MARIO.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Spanish Mackerel are the bread and butter of Myrtle Beach inshore fishing, and these silver missiles put on a show when they hit your line. Running anywhere from 1-3 pounds on average, they're perfect for light tackle and make excellent table fare with their mild, flaky meat. Spanish Macks school up heavily during their spring and fall migrations, creating fast action when you find them. They'll hit small spoons, jigs, and live bait with equal enthusiasm, and their acrobatic fights make them a favorite with kids and beginners.
King Mackerel step up the game with serious size and attitude, ranging from 10-30 pounds and occasionally much larger. These apex predators patrol the nearshore waters looking for schools of baitfish, and when they find your trolled bait, the reel starts screaming. Kings are notorious for their blistering runs and aerial displays, testing your drag and fighting skills. The meat is excellent grilled or blackened, though smaller "school kings" tend to be more mild than the big smokers.
Barracuda bring the teeth and the attitude to your fishing day, with their razor-sharp chompers and lightning-fast strikes. These ambush predators can reach 3-4 feet in length around Myrtle Beach, and they'll absolutely destroy a trolled lure or live bait. Cuda fights are explosive and unpredictable – they'll jump, run, and generally raise hell until they're in the boat. While not everyone's favorite on the dinner table due to their stronger flavor, they're pure adrenaline on the end of your line.
Black Sea Bass round out your target list as the perfect bottom dweller for when the trolling action slows. These chunky, hard-fighting fish live around structure and ledges, making them reliable producers when you need to put some bend in the rod. Sea Bass have excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for frying or grilling. They typically run 1-3 pounds in these waters, but their strong fight makes them feel bigger, and they're a great species for teaching proper bottom fishing techniques.
Lemon Sharks add an element of surprise to your afternoon, with these coastal predators showing up when you least expect them. Running 3-6 feet on average, Lemon Sharks are strong fighters that test your equipment and skills. The crew practices catch and release with sharks, making sure you get photos and memories while keeping these important predators healthy for future generations.
Time to Book Your Spot
This afternoon charter hits the sweet spot for
5.0(32 Reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Myrtle Beach
Four
